Macron takes veiled shot at Trump, Netanyahu over ‘stupid’ France riot remarks

The French president said some leaders were influenced by fake videos generated by artificial intelligence about the unrest

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticised world leaders for making “stupid” comments about the rioting on the sidelines of protests in France, in an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Macron said the leaders were taking aim at France in the context of coming elections in their countries and added that they had been influenced by fake videos generated by artificial intelligence about the riots.

Some of the worst urban violence to hit France in years erupted on Saturday on the fringe of nationwide protests over the rising cost of living.

“There was foreign manipulation of information which led to unacceptable and even stupid comments by many, including foreign leaders,” Macron told reporters in Doha after a trip to the Gulf.